Friday, April 13, 2012

Nyuk-Nyukking at 'The Three Stooges'

Will Sasso, l-r, Chris Diamantopoulos and Sean Hayes star as Curly, Moe and Larry in "The Three Stooges."

When CC, Ian and I caught an advanced screening of "The Three Stooges" movie, directed by Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly, I had no idea that my child would laugh so hard and so often.

No, seriously.

After the movie, the woman sitting next to me even remarked on just how much fun CC seemed to be having and that she wanted to take her 6-year-old son to see the movie based solely on her reaction.

And since the film, my daughter has essentially become a fourth stooge, saying things like, "A wise guy, eh!" and pinching her parents' noses on a regular basis.

The movie was a charming and nyuk-nyuk-filled adventure that paid loving homage to the trio of wise-crackers who were slapstick geniuses. The three modern embodiments of Larry, Moe and Curly (Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos and Will Sasso, respectively) were more than convincing in their adoptive roles.

And speaking of adoption, that's where the movie starts -- at an orphanage run by nuns. (Crazy nuns. Crazy Larry David-style nuns. But definitely loving nonetheless.) While not successful in getting adopted themselves, our trio of trouble grows up in the orphanage, which is struggling to survive. In order to help save it, the stooges go on a quest to earn more than $800,000, using only their (half)wits.

Their adventure takes them to a wealthy family, which harbors a murderous plot, as well as to a famous reality TV show.

What made CC laugh most in the movie were the stooges' slapstick routines. Every time one got popped in the nose or knocked over the head with a sledgehammer, CC was rolling in her seat. (Eek, what does that say? Oh, nevermind.) The plot details were definitely secondary for her.

But don't worry, parents. There's a fun safety message at the end of the movie that reminds kids not to try these stunts at home.

What struck me the most, however, was how well the actors portrayed their famous counterparts. Particularly Diamantopoulos, who looks nothing like Moe! I was actually really moved by one emotional scene, when Diamantopoulos as Moe realizes the real message of the movie: that it's family that matters most.

Stay tuned for my next post -- an interview with Chris Diamantopoulos!